Washburn Names New Vice President of Administration and Treasurer

Washburn University recently announced that Luther G. Lee, IV, has been selected as the new vice president of administration and treasurer. Lee currently serves as the director of finance and controller at Washburn, a job he has held since March 2020.

Lee will replace Chris Kuwitzky who is leaving the vice president position in January.

“After an extensive national search, we decided that Luther Lee is a good fit for the position at Washburn,” said Jerry Farley, president. “He is already thoroughly familiar with Washburn and during his time here, he has made some innovative changes in finance which have greatly improved operations. And, he has enjoyed working with all departments in the university, both academic and administrative.”

In his new role, Lee will oversee the entire physical plant and financial operation of the university.

“This is a key role which requires the kind of broad experience and outstanding credentials which Luther brings to us,” Farley said. “We look forward to his continued contribution and innovative approaches to Washburn as we move forward.”

Prior to joining Washburn in 2020, Lee had more than 14-years’ experience in higher education with the University of Oklahoma, the University of South Florida and the University of Southern Mississippi.  At those three institutions, he ran the business operations of their athletics departments managing everything from information technology to human resources in addition to financial controls.

“In his work at the University of Oklahoma, Luther managed a budget and operation that was actually bigger than all of Washburn University and which encompassed every area he will oversee here,” Farley said.

Before working in Higher Education, he worked for a variety of Certified Public Accounting firms including one which he founded in 2003.  Early in his career, he had worked as an auditor for the Mississippi State Tax Commission an as a staff accountant for an oil company.

A certified public accountant, Lee earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, and a master’s degree in sport management from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.